full face helmet durability question

**shmoesmith** · 05-12-2007, 10:57 AM

OK guys, I have what very well may be a dumb question. What is the
"you should replace your full face helmet when.." policy?

The reason I ask is because I know with a regular bike helmet you take a hit on it and you replace it. That said, when you look at skateboard helmets, they are designed to take multiple hits w/out needing replacement. A full face DH helmet is built quite a bit different than a regular XC style bicycle helmet, but seems to use similar foam.

Soooo, I took 2 really good headshots last night on my full face helmet. The first was a face plant, the second was a side shot. The second one was pretty hard and left a light bruise across my forehead.

I bought the helmet to take exactly this sort of hit and protect my noggin. However, being a beginner to the freeride arena, and living off of savings right now, I can't exactly afford to replace a $130 helmet ever time I get knocked around a bit. Soooo, is there any sort of consensus on when a DH helmet should be replaced?

**bagtagley** · 05-12-2007, 11:18 AM

No helmet is designed to take multiple hits, including skate helmets. Once the foam has been compressed, it's basically done.

If you hit hard enough to bruise your head, you probably compressed the foam. Get a new helmet.

**shmoesmith** · 05-12-2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

No helmet is designed to take multiple hits, including skate helmets. Once the foam has been compressed, it's basically done.

Get a new helmet.

Certain skate helmets are designed jexactly for multiple hits. If you go into a skate shop and look at the helmets they have, different ones use different types of foam. One in particular is a 'squishy' foam that bounces back from compression and can take multiple hits. The other type is a styrofoam type. This is the type that once compressed is usually toast. The DH helmets seemed to be made from the styrofoam type, which is why I was concerned.

**Dromond** · 05-12-2007, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

No helmet is designed to take multiple hits, including skate helmets. Once the foam has been compressed, it's basically done.

Get a new helmet.

Not necessarily true. Some skate helemts have foam that does not permanently compress. That said, I don't think that they're rated for bicycle speeds.

If you really want the best protection for your head, I'd replace it. Think of how much cash you have invested in your noggin, (education, experience, etc.)

**bagtagley** · 05-12-2007, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dromond

No necessarily true. Some skate helemts have foam that does not permanently compress. That said, I don't think that they're rated for bicycle speeds.

Interesting. Then I'll rephrase...any helmet that's worth a shit is not designed to take multiple (hard) hits.

**Dromond** · 05-12-2007, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Interesting. Then I'll rephrase...any helmet that's worth a shit is not designed to take multiple (hard) hits.

That sounds about right. Personally I don't replace for the little bumps a thunks of everyday riding. (Think when you don't duck low enough for a tree branch.) But if you've got a forehead bruise, or any concusion symptons, I'd replace it. $130 sounds cheaper when you put it in terms of insurance.

**shmoesmith** · 05-12-2007, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Dromond

But if you've got a forehead bruise, or any concusion symptons, I'd replace it.

Maybe I am just fragile. J/K of course. I don't bruise easily, so it must have been a pretty good knock...and the fact that I couldn't get up for about 5-10 minutes afterwards says something too. Guess I will be replacing it

*sigh* playing can be so expensive.

**tigerstripe40** · 05-12-2007, 11:49 AM

I'd say take the brain bucket to the shop you bought it from and have them inspect it for damage.

**mntlion** · 05-12-2007, 12:14 PM

some helmet companies have a crash replacement policy too,

some it is free, some a 1/2 price helm, some only a year, etc.

basically the company wants to keep you in there brand, and also do analisis of how the helmet did in a real world crash

when to replace: if it is a single impact helmet, replace if the crash was bad enough to make you glad you had the helmet on.

some ski helmets are rated for multi impact. most climbing helmets are multi too.

**trainnvain** · 05-12-2007, 12:30 PM

Usually an impact that will leave a bruise means new helmet. Most companies use EPS (expanded polystyrene) which crushes to absorb the blow making it a one shot deal. A lot of full face helmets, such as Giro, use GECET which is a stronger EPS for harder impacts, but still compresses under load.
The only helmets that are for multi-impact have EPP (expanded polypropylene?) which does have memory recovery. These are pretty rare, if nonexistent, at the 130 dollar price point.
Lastly, helmets with an ABS shell will not show EPS compresion, thus leading you to believe they are OK when they really are not.
Don't trust a shop to inspect a helmet. Leave it to the manufacturer. They are also more likely to give you a crash replacement price seeing as you took the effot to send it back.

**Spats** · 05-12-2007, 12:48 PM

If the helmet has a liner rated for multiple impacts, they'll say it all over the packaging and you'll know it when you buy it. If you don't know whether your helmet is multiple-impact, it's not.

Also, if you hit hard enough to bruise your head through the helmet, the helmet is done. Call up the manufacturer and see what their crash replacement policy is.

**Crinkle** · 05-12-2007, 05:10 PM

the new Fox Flux, was designed to take multiple hits, depending on the severity of the damage to the helmet. I can't find it in writing, but I was told in discussion at the shop. If you see any sort of failure in the helmet, cracks, significant impressions on the outside or inside, I would instantly contact the company who made it and see what their crash replacement is or buy a new one, there are plenty of deals on full face out there for less than a hundred. If the helmet "appears" in tack (I would personally continue to use it) but if you are not comfortable, repalce it.

edit for a good link to some info on new helmets: http://www.helmets.org/helmet07.htm

**marshalolson** · 05-12-2007, 06:21 PM

i use my FF until there are obvious cracks around the shell, or if you press on the chin bar with one hand and press on the back with another and the helmet creaks.

i don't use a plastic/foam helmet though.

and a fullface is designed to take more minor impacts than a regular bike helmet.

**Fat Whacker** · 05-12-2007, 09:49 PM

My rational is if your are questioning if you should get a new lid, its probably a good idea to listen to that little voice. I go through a FF once or twice a year. I usually buy fresh at the beginning of the season. If its a good season, I will still be wearing my original lid once winter rolls around. If its a bad one season (like last year), replacing is a small price to pay for piece of mind. Litterally.